In our search for wisdom, the My Daily Thread Podcast encourages us to find pearls of insight from within ourselves—those moments of inner awareness that we can integrate into our daily lives. Today, we turn to Yoga Sūtra 2.20 for guidance.
Yoga Sūtra 2.20: draṣṭā dṛśyamāṇaśuddho'pi pratyayānupaśyah
Translation: "The Seer is but pure consciousness; though pure, it perceives through the mind."
This sūtra directs us back to the essence of Puruṣa, the Seer, the capital-S Self. Even though the Seer is always witnessing, its perception is filtered through the mind (citta), which is where the confusion begins. Instead of seeing reality as it truly is, we see it through the lens of Prakṛti—the ever-changing material world coloured by thoughts, emotions, attachments, and experiences.
For those interested in deepening their understanding, start planning for our San Pancho Retreat with Ziggy Moves: February 2026:
The Sanskrit term draṣṭa means "the Seer," that which eternally witnesses experience without being affected by it. This Seer is distinct from our thoughts, emotions, material wealth, and relationships. Yet, because our understanding of the world is mediated through Prakṛti, we often misidentify with these external aspects instead of recognizing our true nature.
This ties directly to the goal of yoga as stated in Yoga Sūtra 1.2: "Yogaṇ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaṇ," meaning "Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind." The mind is constantly engaged in vṛttis—the ceaseless activity of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. But beneath all of this, there is the silent observer, the pure awareness that remains unchanged.
Practicing stillness and self-reflection helps us recognize this misidentification and move toward clearer perception. Meditation, self-inquiry, and mindfulness serve as tools to quiet the mental noise and reconnect with the silent witness within.
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